Outdoor tables on downtown Denison sidewalks are on two city agendas this week, with a pair of businesses seeking approval for sidewalk seating and an advisory board set to discuss refining the rules that govern it.
Two requests at the historic board
The Historic Preservation Board meets at noon Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the council chambers at City Hall, 300 W. Main St. It will consider certificates of appropriateness, the approval required for exterior changes in the downtown historic district, for sidewalk dining at two addresses.
At 301 W. Main St., the staff report says TX Creamery and Hey Sugar have moved into the building and want to extend their seating outdoors with white tables beside it. The Main Street Design Committee was to meet before the board and make its own recommendation.
City staff recommends approval, and the listed alternatives include different furniture, a different layout or no sidewalk dining at that spot.
At 111 S. Fannin Ave., the business has used picnic tables and now wants to replace them with tables and chairs that comply with the city's sidewalk dining rules, according to the staff report. It has its insurance on file and its designer has met with staff. Staff recommends approval on the condition that the layout meets the existing design guidelines.
The report does not name the business.
A second look at the guidelines
On Thursday, Nov. 19, at 8 a.m., the Main Street Advisory Board is scheduled to discuss and consider recommendations to refine the Downtown Denison Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines, which the board adopted in January 2022. The agenda packet includes the current guidelines but does not spell out which changes are proposed.
